John Layer
Assistant Professor of Mechanical and Civil Engineering

After working for 20 years in the corporate world, John Layer decided making a difference in industry was not enough. In his words, "It was time to mold minds, in lieu of molding balance sheets — to teach students, in lieu of tracking company expenditures." For Professor Layer, this process comes through a commitment to education. "Learning is a lifestyle, a quality of life choice. As a teacher it is my responsibility to plant the seed of intellectual curiosity in my students — to develop a thirst for knowledge that is virtually unquenchable."

As a teacher, Professor Layer makes himself accessible to students, serves as a mentor, draws on his many years of corporate experience, displays personal integrity, and discusses individual responsibility to society. He brings a practical, application-driven approach to the classroom. It is easy to see that he knows how to prepare a graduate to successfully enter the engineering field.

"When students graduate, I want them to remember that I was accessible, listened, and cared. I want them to remember my classes challenged and compelled them to search out related educational opportunities. I want them to feel prepared for the challenges ahead. I want my students to say that I moved them to a place where they would not have gone if not for my influence — that I made a difference."

Deborah Hwang
Associate Professor of Computer Science

Deborah Hwang knows that computer scientists must always be thinking ahead. The profession changes so quickly that current information and knowledge might very well be obsolete in a few years. So, how does she teach within the dynamic nature of the profession at the University of Evansville? She tries to get her students to think. "In a lecture, I present knowledge, but more than that, I get my students to think beyond the immediate relevancy of the material. I teach computer science, but I am also in the business of teaching students to think."

How does Professor Hwang know she is doing her job well? The answer comes from students. "When they launch successful careers and lead productive lives, it tells me we are doing things well at the University of Evansville.